Father of Marin teen who died in fiery crash sues driver and county

Complaint alleges county failed to install safeguards on dangerous road where crash occurred

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The father of a 15-year-old victim in a deadly 2025 car crash in Marin County has filed a lawsuit against the county and the teenage driver, alleging the county failed to install proper safety measures on the winding, tree-lined road where the crash occurred, creating a 'dangerous condition' that led to the fatal incident.

Why it matters

The lawsuit highlights ongoing concerns about road safety and the responsibilities of local governments to address known hazards, especially in areas popular with young drivers. The case also raises questions about how to balance accountability for tragic incidents with compassion for all those affected.

The details

The complaint alleges that at the time of the April 2025 crash, county officials had known the road was dangerous due to large redwood trees adjacent to the travel lane on a curve, but failed to install guardrails, protective barriers or proper signage to mitigate the risk. The filing also accuses the 16-year-old driver, who was speeding and failed to maintain control of the vehicle, of negligence. The crash killed four teenage passengers and severely injured the driver.

  • The crash occurred on April 18, 2025.
  • In May 2024, a teenager speeding on the same road crashed into a tree less than 500 feet from where the girls died.

The players

Robert Katz

The father of 15-year-old victim Sienna Katz, who filed the lawsuit against the county and the teenage driver.

Marin County

The county that owns and operates San Geronimo Valley Drive, the road where the crash occurred.

The teenage driver

A 16-year-old at the time of the crash who has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and pleaded not guilty.

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What they’re saying

“The dangerous condition created a foreseeable risk that vehicles would leave the roadway and collide with fixed objects, resulting in catastrophic injury or death.”

— Garrett and Robert May, Attorneys for Robert Katz (Marin Independent)

“I care about all the families and all the kids. We're all working through this.”

— Robert Katz (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow the teenage driver out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex issues of road safety, government responsibility, and compassion when tragedy strikes a community. It underscores the need for proactive measures to address known hazards and the challenges of balancing accountability with empathy in the aftermath of such devastating events.